// October 30th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Loux Family News
We are such a quick fix society, the get it now, the hurry-up-and-do-it of marketing and the pressured pace of modern life. We don’t really want to wait for anything.
I remember standing in line at a coffee shop a few months back listening to a customer literally yelling at the person who made his coffee. She “didn’t do it right,” she “took too long” and because of her “incompetence” he was going to be late for work. I watched as her countenance fell, her cheeks turned red and her head hung down, as she softly said, “I’m sorry.” She was beaten down by his words. He took a second sip of his coffee, shaking his head in disgust, violently tossing the cup into the trash, screaming expletives as he walked out the door. I stood in shock and told the frightened worker how sorry I was that she had been treated that way. As I walked out the door with my cup of coffee in hand, I began thinking about how sad, unfulfilled and ungrateful so many people are. It really wasn’t about the coffee for this man who was so rude. He was obviously very ungrateful and unfulfilled in his own life so it was just natural for him to spill out his rage onto this precious worker (and… I’m sure onto many others in his life as well).
I began thinking about the majority of the people in the world who don’t even have $3 or more to spend on a special coffee. So many are scrounging for food in garbage dumps and living on the streets with nothing but the clothes on their backs. My heart sank at the reality of all of that, and as I was driving back home I began to cry. I was overcome with thankfulness for all I had. It was a “God moment” for sure.
As I sipped on my warm cup of coffee, I kept thinking about all the ways God moved in such radical ways on mine and my family’s behalf. The children we brought in to our family through adoption have been totally changed. They had known nothing but abandonment, fear and pain in the early years of their lives… and then in an instant, Jesus literally handpicked them to be ours. He placed them in our family, gave them a new name, REEDEMED, and radically transformed their lives, physically, spiritually and emotionally. There are no words really to capture the thankfulness that is in my heart. God knows….
Even our biological children have been transformed, having greater compassion and incredibly tender hearts before God, right in the midst of the greatest grief they’ve ever walked through (the loss of their Daddy). I don’t take that for granted! Only God could work that into their little hearts. We had so much love and life packed into the years we had with Derek. He loved us well and we were so enriched by the example of his life. He was a gift to us all. He was God’s gift to us all. We were and still are very rich in love and that is also God’s very precious gift to us. ”Look what God has done!” Those are words my children hear me say often!
It’s been quite a transition for me to be the head of our household now. I’ve had to learn to do many of the things that Derek used to do. At times I feel a little fearful and overwhelmed, but you know what? I’ve learned to trust Jesus in greater ways than ever before. He has become my Rock, the One I lean on when I feel weak and my soul is downcast. I’ve learned to put my hope in Him more than ever. He has been Jehovah Jireh in every area of our lives; physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. He has never failed me or my family and I know He never will. His promises are true and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I can trust Him. For that I am so thankful!
As we approach the Christmas season, I’d like to challenge us all to remember how blessed each of us is.
Instead of thinking about all we wish we had, we should think upon all we do have, in the gift of Jesus alone. The fact that we know Him and have been forever changed because of His sacrifice (for us) on the cross and because we have the hope of Heaven, we have been given a priceless and eternal gift.
Almost every day presents an opportunity to take for ourselves, or to give to another. I love this quote by Mother Teresa. “Small things done with great love will change the world!” Those “small things” will also change us, conforming us into the image of Christ, as we walk with obedience and a thankful heart!
This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. I would like to ask each of you to remember the orphan as you begin your Christmas shopping. What can your family do without? A few less presents under the tree and stockings not quite filled to overflowing, could mean that you would be able to give financially to someone you know who is adopting. Or, you could also give to an organization that helps to sponsor orphans in need. It could literally mean the difference between life and death for another to receive your gift. I don’t say this to cause you guilt or to condemn you. This is actually a mandate from God (to care for the orphan). I’m just asking you to consider the orphan and to do something on their behalf.
Reach out to someone and bless them, with your only motive being to love them like Christ loves them. Take an even greater step and do it without telling anybody about it. Do it for God’s eyes only. You will feel the pleasure of Christ…and there is nothing..nothing on earth that feels better than that! It will also produce in you a very thankful heart! Be blessed by God’s love and all that you have. You are rich, because you have Him!
Thank you to those of you who have been the hand and heart of Jesus to me and my children. I am forever grateful for each of you! I pray that God blesses you with an even greater understanding of His most amazing love for you!
Much love and appreciation for each of you precious ones!
Renee’ and tribe
